No matter your allegiances, it's a shame Melbourne City coach John van't Schip denied us David Villa for the opening 48 minutes in Saturday night's match against Sydney FC.

The coach has every right to, for the player only arrived a week ago. It's just that when Villa had his first chance, on the edge of the box, he took it with such elegance that 25,585 on hand were left completely gobsmacked.

It wasn't even the best goal of the night – Corey Gameiro took that honour. A splendid effort from the left corner of the area. But Villa's goal will live longer in the memory for how he made something so hard look so effortless.

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After dancing around Sebastian Ryall, the Spaniard delicately guided the ball into the net. Just like that. He virtually passed the ball towards Vedran Janjetovic, yet there was nothing the keeper – or anyone else – could do. Spellbinding.

And while it is wonderful the league keeps making huge strides towards real clubs with ambitious philosophies and dedicated development programs, the fact remains: there is nothing as seductive as star power. To the cynical mind, it was also a timely reminder of the gap between the A-League and the elite.

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Damian Duff isn't short on class either, and the former Chelsea winger – who played all night for City – was superb. At 35, he's still got it in spades. Their actual marquee, Robert Koren, was injured and didn't play. If they click as a team during Villa's all-too-brief stay, watch out. It will be football caviar.

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But what of Sydney FC? They gained a point, after all. And Graham Arnold, in his first match as coach, put his imprimatur on how things will be done. The kids will get opportunity, whether they're ready or not. This was no performance of note, however, with a first half that could best be described as abject. How City weren't two or three up was the talking point as the crowd paused for the interval.

A cut above: David Villa celebrates his goal on Saturday night. Photo: AFP

In that time, a Berowra youngster by the name of George Blackwood was given a chance up front. He hardly got a touch and was hooked after 50 minutes. A rough night for the 17-year old, who most fans wouldn't have even heard of as they took their seats. But he was hardly the only one doing it tough. The Sky Blues looked frazzled from the moment Duff sizzled down the right, cutting in for James Brown. The ex-Jet had time but curled his effort on to the bar. Notice had been served.

Sydney's passing moves were falling apart and confidence seemed in tatters. This wasn't how it was meant to be under Arnold. What the coach wouldn't have given for Michael McGlinchey or Tom Rogic, or even just a calming presence like John Hutchinson or Patrick Zwaanswijk.

Part of the problem was that Sydney, in spite of all the pre-season rhetoric, were struggling to maintain meaningful possession. So frustrated was the coach that at one moment Arnold threw both of his hands in the air, outstretched, palms upturned. Had Mate Dugandzic capitalised on a dreadful error from Sasa Ognenovski, Arnold might have taken to the field and put those hands on the veteran defender. The Big Og struggled overall, but he has enough credits in the bank. He'll get better. Good players always do.

Speaking of good players, Villa still hadn't entered the fray as the teams returned the field for the second half. He was warming up feverishly, however, and it was only a matter of time.

But he could only watch as Sydney took an undeserving lead. Gameiro, brilliant in pre-season, matched the hype with a sparkling finish. Yet the Villa factor would ensure day one of the City revolution ended in style.